Iowa Books

This is the diary of a Norwegian immigrant pastor's wife in the 1800's, traveling from Norway to the United States, eventually settling in NE Iowa. The chronicle successfully evokes what it is like to travel the Atlantic via ship (during storms the passengers sit on the floor, slop food on themselves, stay in bed alot, etc.) and travel via wagon, canoe, etc. across the country to the "frontier" of the central US, staying with various families along the way.

Mrs. Koren gives us a glimpse of daily life in an immigrant farmer's household, recording the events that she witnesses as the Korens await the construction of their own home (where local farmers contribute to the enterprise by hewing trees to provide their allotment of logs to the building site.) Mrs. Koren can be quite an opinionated observer of the people she meets, but it is interesting to see this depiction of people from "upper middle class" Norway coping with the rustic conditions among the frontier settlers.

The diary contains numerous references to particular individuals she met along the way, with footnotes providing additional identification that is an invaluable resource for people searching for information on their forebears. While reading the diary, I was thrilled to read the account of several visits and conversations with one of my own great-great-grandfathers (John Andreas Axdal, aka "the man from Turkey River"), a precious glimpse through this window into the past giving me a brief encounter with the personality of my ancestor.

Compiled and written by Iowa historian Tom Savage, "A Dictionary Of Iowa Place Names" is organized by counties and towns. Of special note is the extended section of place names associated with former Iowan counties, towns and post offices. Presented alphabetically, each place name is provided with the date the county or town was established along with a numerical cross-reference to the source for the information. Each entree is a succinct summary of the origin, derivation, or definition of the name. The section of identified sources is extensive and comprehensive. Offering a wealth of trivia information with respect to the history of Iowan communities (Dubuque is the oldest town having its origins as a mining camp in the 1780s and incorporating in 1841), A work of exhaustive scholarship which could well serve as a template for similar place name directories for other states, "A Dictionary Of Iowa Place Names" is a very highly recommended addition to academic library American History and Iowa History reference collections.

End of story! Definitive arguments against Creationism by scientists, Christian theologians, and lawmakers. If every living Creationist read this book with an open mind, that would be the end of Creationism. Unfortunately, because of their psychological need for absolute answers, these people are constitutionally unable to read anything objectively that contradicts their so-called "literal" interpretation of the Bible, so the rational among us will be stuck with them until they all die out, which would be Darwinian evolution at its merciful best

This is a must-have book for all professional hog farmers! It contains full detailed descriptions on anatomy, and very helpful step-by-step guides and checklists on swine care. Virtually all known pig diseases are comprehensively covered, including history, diagnosis and treatment. Pictures and diagrams make it easy to understand, especially for non-veterinarians.

At last companion animal professionals, dog owners, and adoption counselors have a superb comprehensive reference source for canine development and physiology, learning theory, behavior, health and disease, and nutrition, all in a single volume. Previously it was necessary to have on hand several books, each covering one or at most two of these topics. While the primary audience for The Dog is undergraduate students in animal sciences programs and other students in professional programs, the book readily serves a broader audience of breeders, trainers, kennel operators, humane society personnel, and veterinarians, and it is entirely accessible to the general dog-owning public. Separate sections on the benefits and responsibilities of dog ownership and factors to consider in selecting a dog make the volume particularly valuable for shelter personnel, adoption counselors, and anyone considering acquiring a dog.

Case combines academic credentials as a specialist in companion animal nutrition (her previous book is Canine and Feline Nutrition: A Resource for Companion Animal Professionals, 1995) with training and long experience as a behaviorist, dog trainer, and college educator. Not surprisingly, the chapters on nutrition are thorough yet concise, offering important information otherwise unavailable to the non-specialist interested in the nutritional needs of dogs and in industry practices of dog food formulation and production. The sections on behavior provide cogent explanations of developmental stages, communication signals, social interaction, the principles of learning, and training techniques, as well as an excellent overview of behavior problems. Case's balanced and incisive discussion of the dominance model of social interaction (and its misuses) is particularly welcome.

At $34.95, the volume is priced between a college textbook (many of which now cost twice this price) and a trade book. In fact, we can be grateful to the Iowa State University Press for keeping the cost of this excellent volume within reach of the general public. Separate works on canine behavior, nutrition, and health would easily exceed the cost of this publication. The Dog is hardcover, beautifully illustrated with line drawings, and includes an extensive bibliography of recommended readings, a glossary, and an index. Volunteer adoption counselors at the Champaign County (IL) Humane Society are highly encouraged to read The Dog to expand their knowledge of topics frequently raised in the course of counseling adopters. A companion volume on cats is reportedly in the works, and we at CCHS eagerly await its publication. --Mary Stuart (Mary Stuart is a former member of the CCHS Board of Directors and has taught adoption counseling to shelter staff and volunteers for the past 10 years.)

Dr. Houpt's book gives excelent overal and indepth knowlege to both the beginer and the professional. It was well outlined so specific information could be accessed quickly.

Daphne du Maurier was a consummate artist and Forster's excellent biography portrays her sympathetically, yet realistically. To begin to understand du Maurier one must understand that she considered fantasy more exciting than the real world. A child of privilege, Daphne grew up in a highly social and colorful artist's family, yet she greatly valued being alone. Her work was very lucrative, yet she spent much more money to help family and friends than on herself. Her writing is part of college curriculum and extremely popular. She was accepted into the Order of Knighthood for her contribution to the arts. Forster's apparently well-researched biography is written in a casual style, often humorous. Many people have something to say about Daphne and I found her own quotes the most interesting, yet, chameleon-like, she eludes the reader and remains mysterious.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The authors obviously researched the material well and provide a well written story. A must for anyone interested in history, war, and human resilence.

Here's a wonderful assortment of personal recollections of Dubuque, Iowa. It was published in 1980 by the American Trust and Savings Bank, as a sequel to the first _Dubuque Folklore_.

Stories include
-- the history of Linwood Cemetary (it was originally in Jackson park, but the graves were moved);
-- the early years of the Dubuque Shooting Society (originally a German organization called the "Schuetzen Gesellschaft)";
-- the political career of William Boyd Allison (for whom Allison-Henderson park is named);
-- the changes in Grandview Avenue (it used to boast brickyards and a pond);
-- early leaders of the police force;
-- professional baseball in Dubuque;
-- and more.

This is a terrific book for the Dubuquer interested in the history of this community. Lots of black and white photographs throughout. Highly recommended.

This lavishly illustrated book is aa source of delight to anyone who has a feel for local history, and will be enjoyed by all who have any connection with Dubuque. It begins in earliest times and goes through to 1988, with the sure touch of one who has mined the records and has the scholar's respect for what he has found. I know of no local history book which is its equal.